Portfolio Recreation Planning | Community Development | Affordable Housing Home The Firm Our Staff Portfolio Testimonials Contact Us Economic Impacts of the Sacandaga Whitewater Park, Sacandaga River, New York The Sacandaga Hudson Advisory Council (SHAC) is planning the construction of a modified channel whitewater park on the Sacandaga River in Hadley and Lake Luzerne, New York. The SHAC commissioned this study to determine if the investment of public funds into the whitewater park would generate a net positive return to the public in terms of economic activity and tax revenue. This study involved collecting extensive data on boaters' expenditures, travel patterns, and recreational behaviors. Data was collected at 5 different rivers, and on-line, from boaters in 37 states and two countries during the 2007 boating season. Input-Output modeling was used to determine the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of the boater visitation to the whitewater park. The research resulted in clear and defensible evidence that the whitewater park would generate a net return on the investment of public funds. Executive Summary Document Economic Impacts of American Whitewater's Gauley Festival, Summersville West Virginia The Gauley Festival is arguably the largest and most renowned river festival in the United States. In 2006, American Whitewater (AW) estimated over 5,000 people attended the event. Until now, it hasn't been fully understood how the festival contributes to local economy through the purchase of goods and services, by supporting jobs, and by the degree to which the imported dollars stay in the local economy and for how long. The research involved designing and administering a statistical survey of festival attendees to determine their spending and travel patterns. Economic Input-Output modeling was used to determine the visitors direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts on the local economy. This research helps American Whitewater document the boater's contribution to the local economy. Recreation 2015: A 10-Year Recreation Master Plan, Stowe, Vermont Stowe is an internationally recognized tourist destination with over 770,000 visitors per year. It also has 4,800 residents who call it home. The Stowe Recreation Commission recognized that the changing demands of residents and visitors alike have presented the Town with new recreation challenges. These dynamics warranted a new vision, careful planning, accurate analysis, and efficient implementation actions. The Recreation Commission acknowledged in their request for proposals that the time is ripe for a "serious contemporary study" because there are far more "recreation activities and capital investments for the Commission to ponder than can possibly move forward in a challenging fiscal climate." This recreation Master Plan helped the Commission determine which recreation investments and activities would serve the greatest public good. Crane Associates determined the supply of and demand for recreation programs, land and facilities by residents, second homeowners and visitors. Statistically accurate public surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and targeted market analyses all contributed to determining recreation demand. Current supply of facilities, programs, infrastructure and lands were inventoried, catalogued, mapped and inspected to determine their longevity. The difference between the supply and demand for a variety of recreation activities was then documented in a Needs Analysis. The plan concludes with a chapter on how to meet those needs through an implementation program over the next ten years. Stowe 10 Year Recreation Master Plan Master Plan for Browns River Park, Essex Vermont Town of Essex was given 5 acres of land along a river and wanted to create a public park that met current recreation needs, was affordable and took advantage of the site's unique natural features. Crane Associates used aerial photography to analyze the historic course of the river and help determine potential neighboring property conflicts. We created over 250 GPS points to document all significant natural features and to make original slope and elevation maps of the site. We conducted over 10 field visits to inventorying the site's natural resources and scouted 8 miles of river from the park site to neighboring Westford village for potential boating hazards and flow conditions. The public was involved in the planning process through a public survey and public meetings. This project resulted in a Master Plan for a new park for the Town of Essex Vermont that included landscape renderings, sites maps, permitting processes and construction costs. Recreation Master Plan for the Fitchburg Waterfront The North Nashua River runs through the heart of Fitchburg with a long history of industrial uses and misuses. Crane Associates worked with the City and a landscape Architecture firm to determine the best options for river recreation in the City. The study analyzed the market and provided answers on local and regional demand for a wide array of river-based activities. This information was used to improve the feasibility of the plan and fine-tune the physical designs. River Recreation Market Assessment for Connecticut River, Windsor, Vermont. The Connecticut River is one of Windsor's greatest economic development assets yet remains untapped. The town is faced with how to improve its economic vitality without harming the environmental integrity of the river. The study included an examination of market demographics and spending patterns of river users and tourists. Market information was tied to river based activities and uses. The river's physical condition and natural resources (depth, flow, bank conditions, aquatic resources, etc.) were examined to determine recreation potential, which activities are marketable in Windsor, and its market share. River and Park Management Options for West River and Jamaica State Park, Vermont. The West River release is a 25-year semi annual gathering of whitewater boaters who come to paddle the temporary Class III water. As the water surges so do the number of users and potential for conflicts. The study examines a series of different management and policy options. A statistically valid random sample survey of park users is used to test their preferences and opinions of a variety of park uses and the boaters economic impact to the local and state economy. Final report for economic impacts of white water boating in the west river. INGRED: An Interactive Geographic Recreation Database System INGRED (INteractive Geographic REcreation Database), was built and copyrighted by Crane Associates in 2004. The "database map" is an interactive GIS map so users can see where recreation opportunities exist in town and search their features. The map uses different symbols for different types of recreation amenities. Users click on symbols to see a listing of information on the facility or land including: acres, hours of operation, recreation opportunities available, amenities offered and regularly scheduled programs. If the user requires more details about the facility she can click on a hyperlink to be taken to a spreadsheet that will include detailed information. As facilities or programs change, town staff can easily update more information. The inventory can also be uploaded to the Town's web site or on an information kiosk for public access. The project was funded by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning and completed in 5 New Hampshire municipalities as part of their "Hearts and Parks" obesity and diabetes prevention program. Non-Market and Recreation Values on the Lake Champlain Waterfront, South Hero, Vermont. Completed a review and assessment of non-market values determined through contingent valuation surveys. Analysis of tourism and recreation potential generated by the Lake on the South Hero waterfront. Report submitted to State of Vermont for Public Service Board Section 248 proceedings. Recreation Assessment on the Clyde River, Vermont. Floated the river at three different flow levels to identify and describe recreation potential of the Clyde River. Report submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Hydroelectric Dam relicensing. Streambank Survey for the Winooski River, Vermont. Floated 90 miles of the river to document stream bank erosion, public access points, and sensitive aesthetic areas. Documented recreation opportunities from headwaters to mouth of river. Determining Appropriate River Flows Levels for Recreation on the Lower Winooski River, Vermont. Conducted a four-month long survey of river users experiencing the river at different flow levels. Documented river uses, potential user conflicts, and preferences for different flow levels. Determined optimum flow level for maximum public enjoyment. Report was used as evidence for hydroelectric dam relicensing during FERC proceedings on Winooski 19 plant. Determining the Economic Value of Recreation on the White River, Vermont. Designed contingent valuation survey to determine public values for river recreation. Survey administered by the University of Vermont. copyright © 2004 - 09. Crane Associates Inc. All rights reserved.